SCRIPTURE
“For the gracious hand of his God was on him.” Ezra 7:9d
“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.” Ezra 7:27
“In this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.” Ezra 7:28
SPOTLIGHT
“Why should I pray for my pastor? He should be praying for me! That is the reason why we pay him!” Some people really think that way. Their belief is that the pastor works on Sunday and does as he pleases Monday through Saturday, although he is on call.
C. H. Spurgeon was giving a guided tour of his church in London. This was one of the first mega churches. Many people confessed Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord through Spurgeon’s ministry. After he had shown them the sanctuary, he said, “Come, and I’ll show you the heating apparatus.” The visitors were surprised when he took them to a room where 400 people were gathered together to pray for the church, pastor, pastoral staff, city and so much more. This is where Spurgeon felt the most work was done and the spiritual victories were won.
In the Old Testament, we meet Pastor Ezra. He chronicles his story as how God used him to teach people God’s ways so they could experience God’s blessings. That is not an easy task. It was far more than a Sunday job.
In the Old Testament, there is a book that is authored and named after Ezra. God greatly blessed Pastor Ezra for a couple of reasons as seen in Ezra 7:9d,10, 27, 28, as cited above.
Ezra;
1. Studied God’s Word
2. Taught God’s Word
3. Trained people in God’s Word and ways.
That is no easy job. Neither is it done just one day a week.
You need to pray for your “Pastor Ezra.” Paul gives a pastor’s job description in Colossians 1:24, 2:3. Read it for yourself so that you will be able to effectively pray for your pastor.
Pray that your “Pastor Ezra” will:
1. Learn truths to share as he/ she studies God’s Word
2. Live a life that exemplifies and reflects what he/she learns
3. Teach and preach with an anointing from the Holy Spirit
4. Be successful at on-the-job training of believers
SOMETHING TO DO
Decide how often you will pray for your pastor. Personally, I do it every Saturday evening because it precedes Sunday. Then, encourage your pastor by telling him/her that you are praying for him/her. Also remind him/her that if there are any special times in the year when he/she would desire prayer for a specific need, you would be available.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for my pastor. His/her task is great. I have no idea the challenges he/she is facing as a shepherd of the flock/church. Give him/her insight as he/she studies Your Word and fill him/her with the Holy Spirit every day so that he/she can live Your Word. Anoint him/her as he/she teaches, preaches and invests himself/herself in raising up Godly leadership. AMEN.